HB134 - Protect Alabama Small Businesses Act

• Creates the Protect Alabama Small Businesses Act to regulate franchisor conduct and prevent fraud, unfair business practices, unfair competition, and abuses against franchisees in Alabama.

• Requires franchisors to provide at least 90 days' written notice and opportunity to cure before terminating or refusing to renew a franchise agreement for good cause; permits immediate termination for insolvency, abandonment, legal violations, felony conviction, or imminent public safety danger.

• Mandates franchisors repurchase inventory, supplies, equipment, goodwill, and furnishings at fair market value upon termination or nonrenewal without good cause, or allow franchisees to waive noncompete obligations and continue in business.

• Prohibits franchisors from denying franchise assignments to qualified buyers meeting nondiscriminatory standards and restricts venue/choice of law provisions that favor out-of-state forums for Alabama franchisees and franchise businesses.

• Establishes civil liability, attorney fees, court costs, and punitive damages for violations; classifies intentional scheme violations as Class C misdemeanor; allows Attorney General to seek injunctive relief.